Dogs Get New Digs

Cats And Puppies ... Even Wardens Get Better Space At Shiny New Shelter

February 15, 1995|By JUDI TULL Daily Press

SUFFOLK — Triple the space and four times as many cages and runs will make life easier for the cats and dogs coming through Suffolk's new animal shelter. Animal wardens are smiling because they will have convenient plumbing.

The new shelter on Forest Glen Drive officially opened on Feb. 1, but the animals probably will move in this week, says Chief Animal Warden Cheryl Pisani.

When Pisani started as an animal warden 18 years ago, the shelter consisted of a chain-link fence with a cover over it. A restroom for wardens was located in a separate building.

"It was really makeshift," she says. "It was pretty primitive."

In 1979, the shelter was built up with cinder blocks, an office was added in the front and the rear area of the shelter was extended. Still, there were only 14 dog pens and 11 cages for small animals. Last year, the shelter took in 2,593 cats and dogs. Of those, 380 were adopted and 102 were redeemed by their owners.

The new shelter is housed in a 4,542-square-foot building, which makes it about three times as large as the old one, Pisani says. After spending 15 years on the city's five-year development plan, construction began on the shelter last September. The shelter's design was a combined effort by State Veterinarian Barry G. Dawkins, an architectural firm and Pisani.

"We built it strictly with the state's specs in mind," Pisani says, adding that she expects Dawkins to return in the spring to do an on-site evaluation of how the $350,000 facility is faring.

The building is not only larger but safer, too. A segregated room for sick and injured animals will allow wardens to observe the animals at all times, and its separate ventilation system will keep any airborne diseases from entering the general population. There's also a separate area for puppies and cats, and eight runs for dogs that are being quarantined after biting someone.

Pisani says she expects the facility to increase adoptions for the shelter animals.

"Our adoption levels are already pretty good, but I think once we get into the new building we'll see an increase," she said.

"The public will know where we are, and it's a lot more attractive. People will be able to come in and see the animals better."